But a decision made by Andy Coen and the Lehigh football coaching staff at the end of the first half at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field on Sept. 17 turned around that game and perhaps the entire 2016 season.

The Mountain Hawks lost their first two games to Monmouth and Villanova, disheartening defeats that came by a combined seven points.

They found themselves in a seesaw shootout at Penn. They trailed 7-0, 14-7, 21-14 and 28-21 in the first half.

Late in the second quarter, Lehigh had a drive going. It appeared to be stopped, but a roughing-the-passer penalty gave the Mountain Hawks a first-and-goal at the Penn 1-yard line with three-tenths of a second left in the half.

Lehigh senior linebacker Colton Caslow talks about how far this team has come in two years. Caslow also talks about facing an upset-minded Lafayette team.

Lehigh senior linebacker Colton Caslow talks about how far this team has come in two years. Caslow also talks about facing an upset-minded Lafayette team.

Because Lehigh was getting the ball to start the second half, Coen decided to go for a touchdown instead of a field goal.

Quarterback Nick Shafnisky kept it and got into the end zone and Ed Mish's PAT kick tied it with no time showing on the clock.

The momentum boost carried right through the second half. Lehigh scored on its first possession in the third quarter to take the lead and the defense rose up to pitch a shutout and soon the Mountain Hawks had their first victory, 49-28.

That triumph was followed by seven more wins and a share of the Patriot League title and the league's automatic berth into the FCS playoffs.

DEREK BEHRENSHAUSEN/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Dominick Bragalone, a sophomore, has proven himself to be a reliable runner for the Mountain Hawks. In the team’s victory over Holy Cross he ran for 182 yards and two TDs.

Dominick Bragalone, a sophomore, has proven himself to be a reliable runner for the Mountain Hawks. In the team’s victory over Holy Cross he ran for 182 yards and two TDs.

(DEREK BEHRENSHAUSEN/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Here's a look back at a regular season that started out slowly, but certainly picked up steam since that night in Philadelphia.

Monmouth (4-6) 23,Lehigh 21

The season began with a major disappointment at Goodman Stadium. The Mountain Hawks were shut out in the first half, but rallied back from a 14-0 deficit to tie it at 14 early in the fourth quarter. Monmouth regained the lead on a field goal and an interception set up a Monmouth TD to expand the lead to nine with 8:36 left. Lehigh got a TD with 4:09 remaining, but couldn't get the ball back.

Villanova (7-3) 26, Lehigh 21

This time, Lehigh delivered an outstanding first half and seemed on the verge of upsetting the No. 22 ranked Wildcats in their home opener. The Mountain Hawks led 14-6 at halftime, but the defense surrendered three long scoring drives by Villanova in the second half, the last resulting in a TD with 4:20 left. Lehigh had one last shot and moved into Wildcats territory before turning it over on downs late.

Lehigh 49, Penn (6-3) 28

As mentioned above, this was the turnaround game of the season. The Mountain Hawks ended up with 548 yards of total offense. Shafnisky ran for three TDs and passed for three more. But it was the defense that held the Quakers to 67 yards of offense in the second half that was the big story.

As good as the offense was at Penn, it was even better in a home game against the Tigers. Shafnisky threw for a career-high 461 yards and four TDs and Dom Bragalone bulled his way to 124 yards and a touchdown to offset a potent Princeton attack that racked up 442 yards.

Lehigh 63, Yale (2-7) 35

Sophomore Brad Mayes was the surprise starter at quarterback after Shafnisky wasn't 100 percent after suffering an ankle injury vs. Princeton. All Mayes did was throw for a school and Yale Bowl-record 524 yards and six TDs. Troy Pelletier had 13 catches for 213 yards and Gatlin Casey added 169 yards on six receptions as Lehigh totaled 651 yards of offense while scoring 21 points in each of the first three periods.

Lehigh 45, Colgate (4-5) 31

Shafnisky was back and played like he didn't miss a beat with 394 yards passing in Lehigh's much-anticipated league opener. But the Mountain Hawks trailed 17-14 at halftime before turning it on for 24 points in the third quarter with the highlight being Casey's 93-yard kickoff return. Casey also had 11 catches for 196 yards and two TDs.

The Mountain Hawks made it 16 in a row over the Hoyas, with Mayes stepping back in at QB after Shafnisky re-injured his ankle early in the second quarter. The improved defense gave up only a field goal that was set up by an interception. Mayes threw for 247 yards with the big strike being a 57-yarder to Casey. Bragalone added two TDs.

Lehigh 46,Holy Cross (4-7) 14

A rainy New England day got a little darker for the Mountain Hawks as the Crusaders drove 75 yards on six plays to open the game. Lehigh answered with 46 straight points. Mayes got his second start of the season and threw for 287 yards, but the offensive standout was Bragalone who ran for a career-high 182 yards in the mud and scored two TDs.

In a game expected to decide the league title, the Mountain Hawks played like champs. The offense was unstoppable for a long stretch in opening a 51-9 lead early in the third quarter. The Rams' Chase Edmonds, who ran for a Patriot League record 347 yards against Lehigh in 2015, ran for 182 this time. But he was actually outgained by Bragalone, who had 192 rushing yards. Shafnisky, back again from injury, ran for 108 yards and three scores.

Lehigh 20, Bucknell (4-6) 13

The upset-minded Bison held the Mountain Hawks to a season-low point total and its second-lowest yardage total. But the cliche about defense winning championships rang true as Bucknell was shut out in the second half while Lehigh was able to get two Mish field goals and a Casey TD reception from Shafnisky, all in the third quarter, and then held on for a title- and playoff-clinching win.

DEFENSIVE DETERMINATION

Lehigh's defense has allowed 23.8 points and 390.7 yards per game this season. That's a vast improvement from last year when LU opponents racked up 35.3 points and 451.3 yards per game and 2014 when the Mountain Hawks surrendered 33.2 points and 475.6 yards per contest.